Glyphosate herbicidal compositions having enhanced rainfastness comprising an acetylenic diol and an alkyl polyglycoside

ABSTRACT

New and useful herbicidal compositions comprising glyphosate and/or agriculturally acceptable salts and an acetylenic diol surfactant structurally characterized by a symmetrically substituted triple bond and adjacent hydroxyl groups or adjacent polymeric oxyalkylated units, and optionally a second surfactant, are provided.

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/500,795filed Jul. 11, 1995 which is a divisional of Ser. No. 08/101,626 filedAug. 3, 1993 (now U.S. Pat. No. 5,464,806); which is a continuation of08/022,811 filed Feb. 22, 1993 (now U.S. Pat. No. 5,258,359) which is acontinuation of Ser. No. 07/739,589, filed Aug. 2, 1991, abandoned.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to new and useful herbicidal compositionsof N-phosphonomethylglycine or agriculturally acceptable salts thereofhaving enhanced herbicidal effectiveness and rainfastness and to amethod of using such compositions to control vegetation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

N-phosphonomethylglycine, also known by its common name glyphosate, andherbicidal salts thereof are highly effective and commercially importantherbicides useful for combating the presence of a wide variety ofunwanted vegetation. The herbicide is normally applied systemically orto the foliage of a very broad spectrum of annual and perennial grasses,broadleaf plants and the like. Once within the plant, the herbicidetranslocates and is lethal to the whole plant when used in an effectiveamount.

Usually, glyphosate is formulated in herbicidal compositions in the formof a water soluble salt. Commercially, glyphosate in the form of itsmonoisopropylamine salt is most often sold in concentrated aqueoussolution which normally also contains an appreciable amount of asurfactant. The presence of a surfactant which may be ionic or nonionicprovides more efficient utilization of glyphosate or its salts dissolvedin aqueous solution as compared to like glyphosate-containing solutionsto which no surfactant has been added. The more efficient utilization ofglyphosate and/or its salts occurs independently of whether thesurfactant is anionic, cationic, or nonionic.

When glyphosate-containing herbicides are applied to foliage, as opposedto being directly injected into the plants to be eradicated orcontrolled, the effectiveness thereof can be severely reduced if rainfalls or if water is otherwise applied to the treated plants within afew hours after such application. The severity of the reduced efficacyof the herbicide is directly related to the amount and force of rainfallor applied water and is inversely related to the time that passesbetween application of the herbicide and the occurrence of rain or otherapplication of water. The commercial label for the herbicide notes thatrainfall or irrigation occurring within six hours after application toplants may reduce the effectiveness of the herbicide and that heavyrainfall or irrigation within two hours after application may wash theapplied herbicide off the foliage, thereby possibly requiringretreatment of the plants.

Although various ingredients have been suggested for incorporation intoaqueous glyphosate-containing solutions either to facilitate penetrationof the herbicide into the plant or to hinder, prevent or otherwiserestrict the removal of the herbicide from plant foliage by rainfall orother applications of water before the herbicide has entered the plant'ssystems in a sufficient amount to be lethal to the treated plants, theneed for more effective rainfastening additives forglyphosate-containing aqueous solutions continues to exist. As usedherein, the term "rainfastness" means the degree of effectiveness of theapplied herbicidal composition to be retained notwithstanding a gentlespray of water, especially by rainfall. Improved resistance ofglyphosate to being removed from the treated plants or otherwise beingrendered less effective by water application is a long-felt need in theart.

Acetylenic diol surfactants have been suggested as an adjuvant forcertain herbicides to increase the herbicidal activity via increasedphytotoxicity against certain weeds. In a publication by Tedeschientitled "Surfynol® Adjuvant-Greenhouse and Field Studies," ProcNortheast Weed Sci. Soc., 33 p 81-82 (1979) it is reported that certainSurfynol adjuvants show promise in increasing the herbicidal activitiesof atrazine, alachlor, bentazon and chloroxuron. There is no suggestion,as has now been discovered, that any such adjuvants would be useful inenhancing the rainfastness, as well as in enhancing the activity of aglyphosate-containing herbicide applied to plants from an aqueoussolution.

It is often desirable to provide glyphosate and any potentiatingsurfactant in the form of a concentrated aqueous solution. However, ithas been found that when acetylenic diol is used as the sole surfactant,a stable homogeneous concentrate formulation is not obtained, except atvery low levels of the surfactant and/or at glyphosate saltconcentrations around 15% or lower. As one increases the amount ofacetylenic diol surfactant up to a point, a corresponding increase inthe glyphosate activity will be gained. Unfortunately, when one addsacetylenic diol surfactants to an aqueous solution of glyphosate beyonda certain amount depending on the particular acetylenic diol used,temperature, concentration of glyphosate, etc., it has been found thatthe surfactant will phase separate, resulting in an unstable,nonhomogeneous formulation. In accordance with the present invention, ithas been found that when acetylenic diol surfactants are used, togetherwith at least one other surfactant of certain classes, acceptablystable, homogeneous concentrate glyphosate formulations can be obtained,in some cases also showing improved activity by comparison withformulations containing the acetylenic diol as the sole surfactant. Thepresence of the second surfactant raises the level of the diol which canbe used in concentrates without occurrence of phase separation.Concentrates normally contain glyphosate in an amount requiring adilution of at least 5 times and up to 100 times with water to have anoptimum spray application rate. Suitable concentrates will contain about5-40 weight percent of glyphosate acid equivalent. Among the secondsurfactants found useful for this purpose, for example, are includedethoxylated tertiary amines, ethoxylated quaternary amines, propoxylatedquaternary amines, alkylglycosides, alkylpolyglycosides, nonalkoxylatedamines, ethoxylated amine oxides, nonethoxylated amine oxides, and thelike.

Rainfastness of glyphosate-containing aqueous solutions is of particularimportance in Southeast Asia, Florida, and similar geographic locationswhere rainfall often occurs with great frequency and sometimes withconsiderable force. Often in these areas there is simply not enough timebetween rainfalls to provide for the highest and best use ofglyphosate-containing herbicides. With short time intervals betweenheavy rainfalls, the herbicide can be washed away or otherwise renderedless useful before it has had time to translocate inside the treatedplant so as to be fully effective as a herbicide.

It is known that an ethoxylated siloxane, sold as a tank mix adjuvantunder the name Silwet L-77 (herein-after referred to as "L-77" forbrevity), provides a limited amount of rainfastness forglyphosate-containing herbicides. L-77 contains as its main activeingredient a member of the silicone-polyethylene copolymer chemicalfamily. More specifically, the active ingredient is polyalkylene oxidemodified heptamethyltrisiloxane. Even more specifically, the activeingredient is a 1,1,1,3,5,5,5-heptamethyltrisiloxanyl propyl-omegamethoxy-poly(ethylene oxide) where the average number of ethylene oxideunits is seven or so.

But, the high cost of L-77, its tendency to form a separate layer inconcentrates on standing, thereby requiring stirring to have ahomogenous solution, its chemical instability in glyphosate-containingsolutions, and its tendency to antagonize glyphosate activity in theabsence of rain, limit the use of L-77 for such purpose.

In accordance with the present invention, it has also been found thatcertain acetylenic diol surfactants when used with a second surfactantprovide appreciably improved rainfastness to foliar-applied aqueoussolutions of glyphosate and/or its agriculturally acceptable salts. Inaddition, these diol surfactants often enhance the herbicidal activityof the glyphosate-containing solutions even in the absence of rain. Thecompositions of the present invention can be formulated as concentratesor tank mixes. The combinations of surfactants are also useful as tankmix adjuvants for aqueous glyphosate-containing solutions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an aqueous composition comprising water,a herbicidally effective amount of glyphosate and/or at least oneagriculturally acceptable salt of glyphosate and a rainfastness orglyphosate activity enhancing amount of at least one acetylenic diolstructurally characterized by a symmetrically substituted triple bondand adjacent hydroxyl groups or adjacent hydroxyl groups which have beenoxyalkylated. The aqueous composition in concentrated form contains asecond surfactant in an amount to prevent the acetylenic diol from phaseseparating. In another embodiment, a dry concentrate formulation isprovided comprising a herbicidally effective amount of glyphosate and/orat least one of its salts and a rainfastness or glyphosate activityenhancing amount of at least one acetylenic diol structurallycharacterized as above. Suitable dry concentrates will contain from 10to 90 weight percent of glyphosate equivalent. The aqueous or drycomposition is useful in controlling vegetation either by application ofa dilute solution thereof to the foliage or by injection thereof into atranslocation system of the vegetation. The use of the acetylenic dioladjuvant surprisingly increases both the rainfastness and herbicidalefficacy of the glyphosate-containing solutions. Moreover, the use ofthe second surfactant extends the ability of increasing the amounts ofthe diol in aqueous concentrates.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Glyphosate is the common name for N-phosphonomethylglycine. In theprincipal commercial composition glyphosate is formulated as theisopropylamine salt. Glyphosate solubility in water at 25° C. is about1.2% by weight. For convenience glyphosate is best formulated as a watersoluble salt. Glyphosate-isopropylamine is virtually completely solublein water. Glyphosate is a relatively nonselective, nonresidualpost-emergent herbicide. It is particularly effective on deep rootedperennial species, annual and biennial species of grasses, sedges, andbroadleaved weeds. Excellent control of most species can be obtained atrates of 0.112 kg (a.i.)/ha to 11.2 kg a.i./ha. The term "a.i." refersto the amount normally expressed in kilograms (kg) per hectare (ha) ofthe active ingredient. Since the activity of glyphosate salts is more orless independent of the cationic species, such as isopropyl-ammonium,sodium, potassium, trimethylsulfonium, and the like, which does notcontribute in any significant way to the activity, it may be preferredto refer to the amount of active glyphosate ingredient in terms of acidequivalency which is conventionally abbreviated as "a.e."

In this specification and the following claims, numerical values are notcritical unless otherwise stated. That is, the numerical values may beread as if they were prefaced with the word "about" or "substantially".

Since glyphosate is best formulated as a water-based solution of theisopropylamine salt, it has the drawback of being easily washed off thetreated vegetation to which it has been applied or rendered lesseffective before there has been enough time to pass for an effectiveamount of the herbicide to translocate from the foliar surface of thetreated vegetation to inside the vegetation where the herbicidal effectoccurs.

To enhance the rainfastness of the applied glyphosate and/or glyphosatesalt in accordance with the present invention, a rainfastness-enhancingeffective amount of at least one acetylenic diol is used as arainfastness adjuvant in glyphosate-containing aqueous solutions. Toobtain this desired result for each part of glyphosate, one can employabout 0.01 to about 1 part of the acetylenic diol. The ratio ofglyphosate to diol may vary depending upon a variety of factors, such asthe identity of the diol, the target weeds and whether the compositionis intended to be an adjuvant or is a ready to use composition.

In the preparation of aqueous concentrates, a second surfactant is usedin an amount sufficient to inhibit or suppress the diol from separatingas a second phase. To obtain this desired result for each part ofglyphosate, one can employ about 0.01 to about 1 part of the secondsurfactant. The ratio of glyphosate to the second surfactant may varydepending upon a variety of factors, such as the identity of thecosurfactant, the target weeds, etc. The acetylenic diol and any othersurfactants are present in the composition in a weight ratio of 10:1 to1:10 with respect to each other. Preferably, the rate is in the range of5:1 to 1:5.

The second surfactant may be one or more substances selected from alkylglycoside or alkyl polyglycoside surfactants, ethoxylated tertiary aminesurfactants, ethoxylated quaternary amine surfactants, propoxylatedquaternary amine surfactants, nonalkoxylated amine surfactants,nonethoxylated amine oxide surfactants, and ethoxylated amine oxidesurfactants.

The alkyl glycoside and alkyl polyglycoside surfactants useful as secondsurfactants in accordance with the present invention can be depicted bythe following molecular structure: ##STR1## wherein n is an integer ofabout 8-18, preferably about 9-12 and x is 1 to about 8, preferably 1 toabout 3 with an average value most preferably being about 1.2 to 1.8.

The ethoxylated quaternary amine surfactants useful as a secondsurfactant in accordance with the present invention can be depicted bythe following molecular structure ##STR2## wherein R is a C₈₋₂₀ alkyl,preferably a C₁₂₋₁₈ alkyl, and m+n total 2 to about 25, preferably 10 to15. Most preferably, when R is C₁₂, then m+n is 2 and when R is C₁₈,then m+n is 15. X is any suitable counterion, such as a halogen andpreferably, chlorine.

The ethoxylated amine surfactants useful as a second surfactant inaccordance with the present invention can be depicted by the followingmolecular structure ##STR3## where R is a C₈₋₂₀ alkyl, preferably aC₁₂₋₁₈ alkyl, and m+n total 2 to about 25, preferably 10-15. Mostpreferably, when R is C₁₂, then m+n is 2 and when R is C₁₈, then m+n is15.

The propoxylated quaternary amine surfactants useful as a secondsurfactant in accordance with the present invention can be depicted bythe following structural formula

    R.sub.3 N-[EO-(PO).sub.n ]-H.sup.+ X.sup.-

where each R is independently methyl, ethyl or hydroxy C₁ -C₃ alkylene,EO is ethylene oxide, PO is propylene oxide, and n is about 6-10 and Xis a suitable counterion as above defined.

In addition to the active ingredient and the diol surfactant andcosurfactant, any of a variety of additiments and other adjuvants may beincluded in the formulated material of the present invention as long assuch added materials are not significantly antagonistic to theglyphosate herbicidal activity and/or to the diol rainfastness-enhancingand/or herbicidal-enhancing activity. In addition to glyphosate or itssalts, mixtures thereof with other herbicides are also part of thisinvention. Herbicides compatible with glyphosate and its salts include,for example, bialaphos, glufosinate, 2,4-D, MCPA, dicamba,diphenylethers and sulfonylureas.

The rainfastness-enhancing and glyphosate activity-enhancing acetylenicdiol added to the water-based formulations of glyphosate and/or itssalts in accordance with the present invention is structurallycharacterized by a symmetrically substituted triple bond and adjacenthydroxyl groups which may or may not be oxyalkylated with ethyleneoxide, propylene oxide or both ethylene oxide and propylene oxide.

The acetylenic diols which may be used in accordance with the presentinvention to enhance rainfastness and/or herbicidal effectiveness ofwater-based formulations of glyphosate and/or its salts correspond tothe following structural formula ##STR4## wherein each X isindependently hydrogen or (R₂ O)_(n) -H where R₂ is ethylene orpropylene and n is the average number of repeating alkylene oxide units.Each n is a number of 1 to about 100, preferably 1 to 50. Thus, thetotal alkylene oxide units may range to a total of 200. The oxyalkylatedadducts are readily prepared by condensing the dihydroxyl acetyleniccompounds with ethylene oxide or propylene oxide in the presence of abasic catalyst in a well-known manner. Preferably, R₂ is ethylene. R ishydrogen or a lower alkyl group, either branched or straight chaincontaining 1 to about 6 carbon atoms, e.g., methyl, ethyl, propyl,isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, pentyl, etc. R₁ is a radical selected fromthe group consisting of methyl, ethyl, cyclopropyl and phenyl.

Representative compounds providing suitable rainfastness enhancementinclude:

2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decyne-4,7-diol,

4,7-dimethyl-5-decyne-4,7-diol,

2,3,6,7-tetramethyl-4-octyne-3,6-diol,

3,6-dimethyl-4-octyne-3,6-diol,

2,5-dicyclopropyl-3-hexyne-2,5-diol,

3,6-dimethyl-4-octyne-3,6-diol,

2,5-diphenyl-3-hexyne-2,5-diol,

2,5-dimethyl-3-hexyne-2,5-diol,

5,8-dimethyl-6-dodecyne-5,8-diol,

2,5,8,11-tetramethyl-6-dodecyne-5,8-diol, and the like.

Representative ethoxylated acetylenic diols include the followingwherein the amount of ethylene oxide reacted with the acetylenic diol isindicated as EO with the prefix number being the average total EO unitsper molecule:

2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decyne-4,7-diol+3.5EO

4,7-dimethyl-5-decyne-4,7-diol+200EO

2,3,6,7-tetramethyl-4-octyne-3,6-diol+10EO

3,6-diethyl-4-octyne-3,6-diol+9EO

2,5-dicyclopropyl-3-hexyne-2,5-diol+20EO

3,6-dimethyl-4-octyne-3,6-diol+30EO

2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decyne-4,7-diol+15EO

4,7-dimethyl-5-decyne-4,7-diol+20EO

2,3,6,7-tetramethyl-4-octyne-3,6-diol+2EO

3,6-diethyl-4-octyne-3,6-diol+100EO

2,5-dicyclopropyl-3-hexyne-2,5-diol+50EO

3,6-dimethyl-4-octyne-3,6-diol+20EO

2,5-diphenyl-3-hexyne-2,5-diol+30EO

2,5-dimethyl-3-hexyne-2,5-diol+10EO

5,8-dimethyl-6-dodecyne-5,8-diol+5EO

2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decyne-4,7-diol+20EO

4,7-dimethyl-5-decyne-4,7-diol+8EO

2,3,6,7-tetramethyl-4-octyne-3,6-diol+12EO

3,6-diethyl-4-octyne-3,6-diol+15EO

2,5-dicyclopropyl-3-hexyne-2,5-diol+10EO

3,6-dimethyl-4-octyne-3,6-diol+50EO

2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decyne-4,7-diol+30EO

4,7-dimethyl-5-decyne-4,7-diol+10EO

2,3,6,7-tetramethyl-4-octyne-3,6-diol+5EO

3,6-diethyl-4-octyne-3,6-diol+2EO

2,5-diphenyl-3-hexyne-2,5-diol+5EO

2,5-dimethyl-3-hexyne-2,5-diol+20EO

5,8-dimethyl-6-dodecyne-5,8-diol+10EO

and the like.

It has been found that, with most things considered,2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decyne-4,7-diol,2,5,8,11-tetramethyl-6-dodecyne-5,8-diol, and the oxyethylates thereofare the most preferred rainfastness enhancers of this invention.

The use of acetylenic diols, as opposed to the use of L-77 siloxane,results in significant improvements in that as a rule lower levels ofthe acetylenic diol to obtain the rainfastness quality of a prescribedamount of L-77 siloxane are needed. Also, it has been found that thereis no appreciable antagonism of the glyphosate activity even in theabsence of rain with the acetylenic diols. Detectable antagonism of theglyphosate activity results with the use of L-77 siloxane when ahumectant is not employed. The need for using a humectant in thecompositions of the present invention does not exist. Furthermore, L-77siloxane in time will degrade in glyphosate-containing formulations,whereas the acetylenic diols used in the present invention haveexcellent stability and long shelf life when formulated in aqueoussolution with glyphosate.

The herbicidal compositions of the invention may be applied in variousways, including topically as a spray to foliage as a postemergenceherbicide and they may be sorbed in powder or granular or encapsulated.Compositions of the invention are typically water based and may includeingredients in addition to the glyphosate, diol and second surfactant,such as other active herbicides, stabilizers, solubility enhancingmaterials, etc. Also, the compositions may be in the form of a wettablepowder, water soluble granules, tablets and briquettes.

The following examples merely illustrate the practice of the presentinvention. Obviously, the invention is not limited thereto. In theexamples, all weights and percentages are given on a percent weightbasis unless otherwise indicated.

In some of the examples, growth chambers were used to determine thecomparative rainfastness and activity responses of selected plantspecies to various glyphosate herbicidal compositions containing and notcontaining various acetylenic diols as above defined. In each testcarried out in a growth chamber, seeds or their seed equivalents of theselected plants were planted in 4-inch (10.2 cm) square pots containingstraight soil and a fertilizer. In a growth chamber using cool growingconditions, the plants were grown at 18° C. day, 12° C. night, with a 10hour photoperiod employing only fluorescent lights. The treatments wereapplied post-emergence to the plants after a selected growth periodusing a conventional fine spray device disposed overhead of the plants.The spray volumes of the tested herbicidal compositions were equivalentto 20 gallons per acre (187 l/ha) and were applied at a pressure of 30pounds per square inch (207 kiloPascals). After spray application, thepotted plants were replaced in the growth chamber with the same growthconditions being employed until completion of the tests. Percent controlof the plants was noted after a predetermined time period.

In other examples, greenhouses were used to determine the comparativerainfastness and activity responses. The tests conducted in a greenhousefollowed the same general procedure as in the growth chamber except thatin the greenhouse the temperature was maintained at approximately 29° C.during the day and 21° C. during the night with a daily photoperiod ofapproximately 10-14 hours of daylight. Assessment of Percent Inhibitionwas made by comparison with untreated control pots on an arbitrary scaleof 0 to 100% where 0 means no visible effect and 100 means death of allplants.

Examples of field tests are also given in which treatments are appliedpostemergence to indigenous plants or plants which had been mechanicallyseeded in rows. The photoperiod and temperatures depended on the actualclimatic conditions extant at the time of treatments.

In the examples the aqueous solution composed of 2 parts of glyphosate(a.e.) and 1 part of ethoxylated (15 EO) tallowamine surfactant with theremainder being water is given the designation "RU." Specifically, RU iscomposed of 41% of the isopropylamine salt (a.i.) and 15% of thesurfactant.

In the tank mixes various surfactants were mixed in tanks with RU. Inthe tables the added diol is given on a volume/volume (v/v) basis.

In the tests, 2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decyne-4,7-diol+1.3 EO is designatedDiol 1. Diol 2 has the same diol adduct as Diol 1 but with 3.5 moles ofethylene oxide. Diol 3 has the same diol adduct as Diol 1 but with 10moles of ethylene oxide. Diol 4 has the same diol adduct as Diol 1 butwith 30 moles of ethylene oxide. Diol 5 has the same diol adduct as Diol1 but with no ethylene oxide units. Diol 6 has the same diol adduct asDiol 1 but with 7.7 moles of ethylene oxide. Diol 7 has the same dioladduct as Diol 1 but with 12 moles of ethylene oxide. Diol 8 has thesame diol adduct as Diol 1 but with 15.4 moles of ethylene oxide. Diol 9has the same diol adduct as Diol 1 but with 20.5 moles of ethyleneoxide.

In the following tables, the percent inhibitions of the tested plantspecies using various application rates of the glyphosate-containingcompositions containing the ethoxylated tallowamine surfactant andglyphosate-containing compositions to which various amounts of theselected diols had been added have been set forth where no rainequivalent was applied and in many cases where a selected rainequivalent of 0.6 cm was applied one hour after treatment unlessotherwise indicated. In the tables, the term "DAT" refers to the numberof days transpiring after treatment before the % Inhibition wasdetermined. The term "DAP" refers to the number of growing daystranspiring between the planting date and the date of treatment. Theterm "GC" indicates that the test was carried out in a growth chamber.The term "GH" indicates that the test was carried out in a greenhouse.The term "FT" indicates that the test was carried out in the field. Theterm "IPA gly" refers to the monoisopropyl amine salt of glyphosate. Inthe various test results which follow, many of the treated plant speciescan be identified by reference to the following listing.

    ______________________________________    Abbreviation               Plant Species    ______________________________________    DB         downy brome   Bromus tectorum    IM         indian mustard                             Brassica juncea    RQG        rhizome quackgrass                             Elymus repens    WT         wheat         Triticum aestivum    GG         guineagrass   Panicum maximum    RF         redstem filaree                             Erodium cicutarium    BG         barnyardgrass Echinochloa crusgalli    VL         velvetleaf    Abutilon                             theophrasti    RYE        annual ryegrass                             Lolium multiflorum    MAL        Cheeseweed    Malva sylvestris    AB         annual bluegrass                             Poa annua    TG         torpedograss  Panicum repens    ______________________________________

In the various tests several formulations were prepared and applied tothe treated plants. These formulations (Formu) are identified as followsand percentages of components are given as a weight/weight basis.

    ______________________________________                 Composition    ______________________________________    Formu A      41% IPA gly                 12% DOD (Dodigen 4022)                 3% Diol 3                 44% water    Formu B      24.8% IPA gly                 19.8% Ethoquad C/12W (35% a.i.)                 10.3% L-77                 2.5% propylene glycol                 42.6% water    Formu C      24.8% IPA gly                 19.8% Ethoquad C/12W (35% a.i.)                 10.3% Diol 3                 2.5% propylene glycol                 42.6% water    Formu D      41.2% IPA gly                 8.0% Ethomeen T25                 2.0% PEG (polyethylene glycol                 MW = 400)                 3.0% Diol 3                 45.8% water    Formu E      41.2% IPA gly                 11.0% Ethoquad 18/25                 2.8% PEG 400                 45.0% water    Formu F      41.2% IPA gly                 8.0% Ethoquad 18/25                 2.0% PEG 400                 3.0% Diol 3                 45.8% water    Formu G      41.4% IPA gly                 15.0% EMCOL CC-9                 43.6% water    Formu H      41.4% IPA gly                 10.0% EMCOL CC-9                 5.0% Diol 3                 43.6% water    Formu I      41.5% IPA gly                 21.4% Ethoquad C/12W (35% a.i.)                 37.1% water    Formu J      41.5% IPA gly                 10.0% Ethoquad C/12W (35% a.i.)                 4.0% Diol 3                 44.5% water    Formu K      41.1% IPA gly                 15.4% APG 325 (70% a.i.)                 43.5% water    Formu L      41.0% IPA gly                 10.7% APG 325 (70% a.i.)                 3.5% Diol 3                 44.8% water    ______________________________________

EXAMPLE 1

In this example a comparison was made of the rainfastness obtained whenSilwet L-77 surfactant was used with RU and when Diol 3 was used with RUas a tank mix in the greenhouse and growth chambers. The data of thisexample are set forth in the following three tables and representaveraged data of six tests, each of which had three replicates. In theexamples the treated plant species are identified by the use of theplant abbreviations listed above. In the parentheses following eachplant abbreviation, the first number provides the application rate ofglyphosate in terms of kg a.e./ha, the second number is DAP as definedabove or the height of the treated plant in centimeters (cm), and thethird number is DAT, as defined above. The final two letters indicatewhether the tests were conducted in a greenhouse growth chamber, orfield. Thus, the following test descriptor "DB (0.43/23/28) in GC" isunderstood to mean that downy brome (DB) was treated in a growth chamber(GC) with glyphosate being applied at a rate of 0.43 kg a.e./ha. Thetreatment was made 23 days after planting; and the % Inhibitions wereread and recorded 28 days after treatment.

In this example the tests were DB (0.43/23/28) in GC, IM (0.43/23/28) inGC (two tests), RQG (0.43/54/27) in GC, WT (0.14/23/27) in GC, and GG(0.43/25/25) in GH.

The average results of the six tests, each with three replicates, areset out in Table 1.

                  TABLE 1    ______________________________________                       % Inhibition    Herb. Composition  0 Rain  Rain    ______________________________________    RU                 71      27    RU + 0.125% Diol 3 90      56    RU + 0.125% L-77   64      44    ______________________________________

The results of an additional test with three replicates for GG(0.84/22/26) in GH are set out in Table 2.

                  TABLE 2    ______________________________________                       % Inhibition    Herb. Composition  0 Rain  Rain    ______________________________________    RU                 77      27    RU + 0.25% Diol 3  92      70    RU + 0.25% L-77    79      43    ______________________________________

The average results of three tests, each with three replicates, for IM(0.43/23/28) in GC, GG (0.17/25/25) in GH, and GG (0.84/22/26) in GH areset out in Table 3.

                  TABLE 3    ______________________________________                       % Inhibition    Herb. Composition  0 Rain  Rain    ______________________________________    RU                 93      39    RU + 0.5% Diol 3   97      79    RU + 0.5% L-77     93      59    ______________________________________

From this example it is seen that both the tested acetylenic diol andthe tested siloxane provide some improved rainfastness for the plantspecies tested but that the acetylenic diol is more effective than L-77at equal concentrations, both in the presence and absence of rainfall.Furthermore, the tested acetylenic diol enhanced glyphosate plantcontrol in the absence of rain.

EXAMPLE 2

In the example a comparison was made of the rainfastness obtained whenRU was used, when IPA glyphosate and Ethoquad C/12W surfactant were usedin aqueous solution, and when Ethoquad C/12W surfactant plus Diol 3 wereused in aqueous solution. Ethoquad C/12W contains 35% (in water) of themethyl 2EO quaternary ammonium chloride having the following structuralformula: ##STR5## m+n =2 on average

The average results of one test with three replicates for GG (1.7/32/34)in GH are set out in Table 4. Ethoquad C/12W was used in amount toprovide an application rate of 0.83 kg. active surfactant/ha.

                  TABLE 4    ______________________________________                         % Inhibition    Herb. Composition    0 Rain  Rain    ______________________________________    RU                   100     40    IPA gly + Ethoquad C/12W                         100     50    IPA gly + Ethoquad C/12W                         100     90    + 0.25% Diol 3    IPA gly + Ethoquad C/12W                         100     100    + 0.5% Diol 3    ______________________________________

From the above data it can be seen that under the test conditions therainfastness of glyphosate when used on GG with the cosurfactant mixtureof Diol 3 and Ethoquad C/12W is much improved as compared with the useof the ethoxylated tallowamine surfactant alone in the RU composition orwith Ethoquad C/12W alone.

EXAMPLE 3

In this example a comparison was made of the rainfastness obtained whenRU was used at a rate of 1.4 kg a.e./ha active and when IPA glyphosatewas used at the same acid equivalent rate with DOD surfactant plus Diol3. DOD is a propoxylated quaternary trimethyl amine having the generalformula

    (CH.sub.3).sub.3 N[EO (PO).sub.8 ]-H.sup.+ Cl.sup.-

wherein EO means ethylene oxide and PO means propylene oxide.

The average results of one test of three replicates for RQG (1.4/42/20)in GC are set out in Table 5. Rain was applied three hours aftertreatment.

                  TABLE 5    ______________________________________                       % Inhibition    Herb. Composition  0 Rain  Rain    ______________________________________    RU                 68      33    Formu A            88      83    ______________________________________

From the above data it can be seen that the rainfastness of glyphosatewhen formulated with the cosurfactant composition of DOD plus Diol 3 ismuch improved as compared to the use of the ethoxylated tallowaminesurfactant alone which is present in RU.

EXAMPLE 4

In this example a comparison was made of the rainfastness when RU wasused at a rate of 0.84 kg a.e./ha active, when IPA glyphosate was usedat the same acid equivalent rate with Silwet L-77 and Ethoquad C/12W inaqueous solution, and when IPA glyphosate was used at the same activeequivalent rate with Diol 3 and Ethoquad C/12W in aqueous solution.

The average results of two tests, each with three replicates, for GG(0.84/25/25) in GH and GG (0.84/46/27) in GH are set out in Table 6.

                  TABLE 6    ______________________________________                       % Inhibition    Herb. Composition  0 Rain  Rain    ______________________________________    RU                 100     17    Formu B            82      12    Formu C            95      48    ______________________________________

The average results of two additional tests, each with three replicates,for GG (1.7/25/25) in GH and GG (1.7/46/27) in GH are set out in Table7.

                  TABLE 7    ______________________________________                       % Inhibition    Herb. Composition  0 Rain  Rain    ______________________________________    RU                 100     34    Formu B            100     50    Formu C            100     69    ______________________________________

From the above it is seen that Diol 3 when used with Ethoquad C/12Wenhances the rainfastness of glyphosate to a significantly greaterextent than L-77 with Ethoquad C/12W or the ethoxylated tallowamine inRU.

EXAMPLE 5

In this example a comparison was made of the rainfastness when RU wasused at a rate of 1.7 kg a.e/ha active, when RU was used at the samerate with Silwet L-77, when IPA glyphosate was used at the same activerate with Silwet-77 and Ethoquad C/12W, and when RU was used at the samerate with Diol 3 at two different rate levels.

The average of five tests, each with three replicates, in Florida citrusfield trials (FT) under mid-summer conditions when 1.3 cm rain occurredin about 45 minutes after treatment for GG (1.7/76 cm/18) in FT, GG(1.7/76 cm/30) in FT, GG (1.7/50 cm/27) in FT, GG (1.7/50 cm/26) in FT,and GG (1.7/125 cm/30) in FT are set out in Table 8.

                  TABLE 8    ______________________________________                       % Inhibition    Herb. Composition  0 Rain  Rain    ______________________________________    RU                 96      35    Formu B            90      59    RU + 0.2% L-77     93      67    RU + 0.5% Diol 3   96      81    RU + 0.2% Diol 3   94      77    ______________________________________

From the above it can be seen that the rainfastness of glyphosate issignificantly greater in the two tested compositions each containingDiol 3 as a cosurfactant with the ethoxylated tallowamine in RU ascompared to when ethoxylated tallowamine was used as the solesurfactant, when L-77 was used in combination with Ethoquad C/12W, andwhen L-77 and the ethoxylated tallowamine in RU were used ascosurfactants.

EXAMPLE 6

In this example using tank mixes a comparison was made of therainfastness when RU was used at a rate of 1.7 kg a.e./ha active, whenRU was used at the same rate with Silwet L-77 and when RU was used atthe same rate with Diol 3 present in two different concentrations. Inthis example the treatments were conducted in Southeast Asia. Theformulations were applied with a mistblower applicator at approximately35 l/ha spray volume to Pueraria sp., a two year old cover crop and toPaspalum conjugatum, which ranged in height between 46-90 cms at thetime of treatments. The plants were growing under hot, humid tropicalconditions. A tropical rain occurred one hour after treatment. %Inhibition was determined 60 days after treatments. The data for thetreatment of Pueraria sp. are set out in Table 9; and the data for thetreatment of Paspalum conjugatum are set out in Table 10.

                  TABLE 9    ______________________________________                       % Inhibition    Herb. Composition  0 Rain  Rain    ______________________________________    RU                 100     30    RU + 0.1% Diol 3   100     100    RU + 0.2% Diol 3   100     100    RU + 0.2% L-77     100     100    ______________________________________

                  TABLE 10    ______________________________________                       % Inhibition    Herb. Composition  0 Rain  Rain    ______________________________________    RU                 100     30    RU + 0.1% Diol 3   100     100    RU + 0.2% Diol 3   100     100    RU + 0.2% L-77     100     100    ______________________________________

From the above it can be seen that both Silwet L-77 and Diol 3 providedcomplete glyphosate rainfastness when added to RU under the conditionsof the tests.

EXAMPLE 7

In this example using tank mixes a comparison was made of therainfastness when RU was used at a rate of 0.42 kg a.e./ha, when RU wasused at the same rate with Diol 3 and when RU was used at the same ratewith Diol 4.

The average results of five tests, each with three replicates, for DB(0.42/23/28) in GC, IM (0.42/23/28)in GC, RQC (0.42/54/27) in GC,WT(0.13/23/27) in GC, and BG (0.56/20/29) in GH are set out in Table 11.

                  TABLE 11    ______________________________________                       % Inhibition    Herb. Composition  0 Rain  Rain    ______________________________________    RU                 72      30    RU + 0.25% Diol 3  91      63    RU + 0.25% Diol 4  85      41    ______________________________________

The average results of three replicates for GG (1.7/46/27) in GH are setout in Table 12 where three additional acetylenic diols were used withRU.

                  TABLE 12    ______________________________________                       % Inhibition    Herb. Composition  0 Rain  Rain    ______________________________________    RU                 100     18    RU + 0.5% Diol 1   98      47    RU + 0.5% Diol 2   100     37    RU + 0.5% Diol 3   100     40    ______________________________________

From the above data it can be seen that when used as a cosurfactant,acetylenic diols having various degrees of ethoxylation significantlyenhanced the rainfastness of the RU composition.

EXAMPLE 8

In this example using tank mixes a comparison was made of theenhancement of glyphosate weed control when RU was used at various acidequivalent rates, when RU was used at the same active rates withadditional ethoxylated (15EO) tallowamine, and when RU was used at thesame active rates with Diol 3.

The average results of four tests, each with three replicates, for WT(0.14/23/27) in GC, RQG (0.43/54/27) in GC, DB (0.28/23/28) in GC, andIM (0.28/23/28) in GC are set out in Table 13.

                  TABLE 13    ______________________________________    Herb Composition  % Inhibition    ______________________________________    RU                59    RU + 0.125% tallowamine                      71    RU + 0.25% tallowamine                      76    RU + 0.125% Diol 3                      88    RU + 0.25% Diol 3 86    ______________________________________

From the above it can be seen that Diol 3 enhances the herbicidalactivity of RU to a significantly greater extent than a similar amountof added ethoxylated tallowamine.

EXAMPLE 9

In this example using tank mixes a comparison was made of theenhancement of glyphosate weed control when RU was used alone and whenRU was used with various diols as a cosurfactant.

The average results of four tests, each with three replicates, for DB(0.28/28/27) in GC, IM (0.28/28/27) in GC, AB (0.28/30/27) in GC, and RF(0.56/30/27) in GC are set out in Table 14.

                  TABLE 14    ______________________________________    Herb. Composition % Inhibition    ______________________________________    RU                60    RU + 0.0625% Diol 5                      74    RU + 0.125% Diol 5                      65    RU + 0.0625% Diol 1                      73    RU + 0.125% Diol 1                      64    RU + 0.0625% Diol 2                      78    RU + 0.125% Diol 2                      74    RU + 0.0625% Diol 3                      79    RU + 0.125% Diol 3                      83    RU + 0.0625% Diol 4                      61    RU + 0.125% Diol 4                      68    ______________________________________

From the above it can be seen that Diol 1, Diol 2, Diol 3, Diol 4, andDiol 5 all enhance the herbicidal activity of RU under the testconditions.

EXAMPLE 10

In this example using tank mixes a comparison was made of glyphosateweed control when IPA glyphosate was used with Ethoquad C/12W surfactantalone and when IPA glyphosate was used with Ethoquad C/12W (35% a.i.)and various acetylenic diols at three different rates.

The average results of two tests, each with three replicates, for BG(0.43/18/21) in GH and VL (0.43/18/21) in GH are set out in Table 15.

                  TABLE 15    ______________________________________                           % BG     % VL    Herb. Composition      Control  Control    ______________________________________    IPA gly + 0.5% Ethoquad                           73       13    IPA gly + 0.5% Ethoquad + 0.0125% Diol 2                           81       67    IPA gly + 0.5% Ethoquad + 0.025% Diol 2                           88       79    IPA gly + 0.5% Ethoquad + 0.05% Diol 2                           63       81    IPA gly + 0.5% Ethoquad + 0.0125% Diol 6                           94       95    IPA gly + 0.5% Ethoquad + 0.025% Diol 6                           96       93    IPA gly + 0.5% Ethoquad + 0.5% Diol 6                           98       86    IPA gly + 0.5% Ethoquad + 0.125% Diol 3                           89       76    IPA gly + 0.5% Ethoquad + 0.25% Diol 3                           93       83    IPA gly + 0.5% Ethoquad + 0.5% Diol 3                           88       88    IPA gly + 0.5% Rthoquad + 0.0125% Diol 7                           91       57    IPA gly + 0.5% Ethoquad + 0.025% Diol 7                           97       85    IPA gly + 0.5% Ethoquad + 0.5% Diol 7                           99       87    IPA gly + 0.5% Ethoquad + 0.125% Diol 8                           91       43    IPA gly + 0.5% Ethoquad + 0.25% Diol 8                           94       78    IPA gly + 0.5% Ethoquad + 0.5% Diol 8                           98       84    IPA gly + 0.5% Ethoquad + 0.125% Diol 9                           86       43    IPA gly + 0.5% Ethoquad + 0.25% Diol 9                           89       40    IPA gly + 0.5% Ethoquad + 0.5% Diol 9                           98       62    IPA gly + 0.5% Ethoquad + 0.125% Diol 4                           82       43    IPA gly + 0.5% Ethoquad + 0.25% Diol 4                           91       57    IPA gly + 0.5% Ethoquad + 0.5% Diol 4                           96       84    ______________________________________

From the above it can be seen that different acetylenic diols when usedas a cosurfactant with Ethoquad C/12W provide better glyphosate weedcontrol than when Ethoquad C/12W is used alone.

EXAMPLE 11

In this example using various formulations a comparison was made of theenhancement of glyphosate weed control where Diol 3 was used with avariety of cosurfactants in field trials. The treatments were applied inJanuary in southern Alabama at a spray volume of 89.7 l/ha. The averageresults of ten tests, each with three replicates for AB (0.28/6 cm/32)in FT, AB (0.56/6 cm/32) in FT, RYE (0.28/25 cm/32) in FT, RYE (0.56/25cm/32) in FT, AB (0.28/25 cm/32) in FT, DB(0.56/25 cm/32) in FT, RF(0.28/25 cm/32) in FT, RF (0.56/25 cm/32) in FT, and MAL (0.28/6 cm/32)in FT, MAL (0.56/6 cm/32) in FT are set out in Table 16.

Ethomeen T/25 used in these field trials has the structural formula##STR6##

m+n=15

Ethoquad 18/25 is the methyl 15-EO octadecyl ammonium chloride havingthe structural formula ##STR7## m+n=15

Emcol CC-9 is a propoxylated quaternary amine having the structuralformula ##STR8## EO=ethylene oxide PO=propylene oxide

APG 325 is an alkyl polyglycoside having the formula ##STR9## n=9-12; xis 1.6 on average

                  TABLE 16    ______________________________________    Composition       % Inhibition    ______________________________________    RU (0.28 a.e.)    74    RU (0.56 a.e.)    87    Formu D (0.28 a.e.)                      75    Formu D (0.56 a.e.)                      90    Formu E (0.28 a.e.)                      74    Formu E (0.56 a.e.)                      87    Formu F (0.28 a.e.)                      81    Formu F (0.56 a.e.)                      89    Formu G (0.28 a.e.)                      66    Formu G (0.56 a.e.)                      85    Formu H (0.28 a.e.)                      72    Formu H (0.56 a.e.)                      90    Formu I (0.28 a.e.)                      73    Formu I (0.56 a.e.)                      91    Formu J (0.28 a.e.)                      79    Formu J (0.56 a.e.)                      94    Formu K (0.28 a.e.)                      81    Formu K (0.56 a.e.)                      92    Formu L (0.28 a.e.)                      80    Formu L (0.56 a.e.)                      91    ______________________________________

As can be seen from the above, the present invention provides a stablehomogeneous herbicidal composition comprising one or more salts ofglyphosate, the IPA salt being the most preferred, and an acetylenicdiol surfactant or an alkoxylated acetylenic diol surfactant. In dryformulations, such as water soluble granules, wettable powders, tablets,etc., a cosurfactant may or may not be an ingredient of the composition.If the composition is formulated as an aqueous concentrate, water willbe a component and it is preferred that a cosurfactant of the typedisclosed herein be also a component of the composition.

Furthermore, the present invention provides new and useful herbicidalcompositions wherein enhancement of the rainfastness of glyphosate-basedformulations by the inclusion in the compositions an acetylenic diolsurfactant, optionally together with a cosurfactant of the typedisclosed herein, is obtained. The rainfastening property of thecompositions of the present invention represents an improvement over therainfastening properties of organosiloxane surfactants as exemplified bySilwet L-77. Thus, the glyphosate-containing compositions of the presentinvention are more efficacious as compared to comparable organosiloxanesurfactants containing glyphosate herbicides in terms of rainfastnessenhancement at lower concentrations in the spray solution. Less or noantagonism in the absence of rain is observed and no need exists for theaddition of a humectant. The acetylenic diol surfactants used informulating the compositions of the present invention are chemicallystable therein while the organosiloxanes tend to degrade over time insimilar compositions.

Also, the present invention provides in many cases efficacy enhancementof glyphosate based formulations even in the absence of rain owing tothe presence therein of an efficacy-enhancing amount of an acetylenicdiol surfactant. As compared with the most widely used surfactant forenhancing glyphosate efficacy, namely ethoxylated (15EO) tallowamine,the use of acetylenic diol results in a significantly improvedenhancement of the herbicidal activity. In other words, the enhancementis appreciably greater with the selected acetylenic diol surfactant thanthe best known glyphosate activity enhancing surfactant when used atequal concentration in spray solutions.

It is important to note that the present invention provides a new anduseful composition comprising glyphosate and/or one or more watersoluble salts of glyphosate, an alkoxylated acetylenic diol surfactant,and a second cosurfactant selected from alkyl glycosides or alkylpolyglycosides, ethoxylated tertiary amines, ethoxylated quaternaryamines, nonethoxylated and propoxylated quaternary amines,nonalkoxylated quaternary amines, and ethoxylated amine oxides. Thecompositions show herbicidal efficacy at least equal to or better thanIPA glyphosate formulated in an aqueous solution with ethoxylated (15EO)tallowamine.

While the illustrative embodiments of the invention have been describedwith particularity, it will be understood that various othermodifications will be apparent to and can be readily made by thoseskilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the scope of the claimsappended hereto be limited to the examples and descriptions set forthhereinabove but rather that the claims be construed as encompassing allthe features of patentable novelty which reside in the presentinvention, including all features which would be treated as equivalentsthereof by those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

What is claimed is:
 1. A glyphosate-containing aqueous herbicidalsolution having an improved rainfastness and comprising:a) aherbidically effective amount of glyphosate and/or glyphosate salt; b)about 0.01 part to about 1 part of acetylenic diol having the followingstructural formula per part of glyphosate equivalent: ##STR10## whereinX in the acetylenic diol is (C₂ H₅ O)_(n) --H and wherein n is theaverage number of repeating ethylene oxide units with n being a numberof 1 to about 100, R is hydrogen or lower alkyl group containing 1 toabout 8 carbon atoms and R₁ is methyl, ethyl, cyclopropyl, or phenyl,said acetylenic diol imparting rainfastness to the solution; c) about0.01 part to about 1 part of an alkyl polyglycoside surfactant havingthe following molecular structure per part of glyphosate acidequivalent: ##STR11## wherein X in the alkyl polyglycoside glycoside is1 to about 8 and n is in the range of 9-12, said alkyl polyglycosidestabilizing the solution; and d) water.
 2. The composition of claim 1wherein the acetylenic diol is oxyethylated or nonoxyethylated2,5,8,11-tetramethyl-6-dodecyne-5,8-diol or oxyethylated ornonoxyethylated 2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decyne-4,7-diol.
 3. Thecomposition of claim 2 wherein the average number of ethylene oxideunits in the diol is about 1.3.
 4. The composition of claim 2 whereinthe average number of ethylene oxide units in the diol is about 3.5 5.The composition of claim 2 wherein the average number of ethylene oxideunits in the diol is about
 10. 6. The composition of claim 2 wherein theaverage number of ethylene oxide units in the diol is about
 30. 7. Aglyphosate-containing concentrated herbicidal aqueous solution having animproved rainfastness and comprising:a) at least about 15 weight percentby total weight of the solution of glyphosate and/or glyphosate salt; b)about 0.01 part to about 1 part of acetylenic diol having the followingstructural formula per part of glyphosate equivalent: ##STR12## whereinX in the acetylenic diol is (C₂ H₅ O)_(n) --H and wherein n is theaverage number of repeating ethylene oxide units with n being a numberof 1 to about 100, K is hydrogen or lower alkyl group containing 1 toabout 8 carbon atoms and R₁ is methyl, ethyl, cyclopropyl, or phenyl,said acetylenic diol imparting rainfastness to the solution; about 0.01part to about 1 part of alkyl polyglycoside having the followingmolecular structure per part of glyphosate acid equivalent: ##STR13##wherein X in the alkyl polyglycoside is 1 to about 8 and n is in therange 9-12, said alkyl polyglycoside stabilizing the solution; and d)water.
 8. The composition of claim 7 wherein the acetylenic diol isoxyethylated 2,5,8,11-tetramethyl-6-dodecyne-5,8-diol or oxyethylated2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decyne-4,7-diol.
 9. The method of claim 8 whereinthe average number of ethylene oxide units in the diol is about 1.3. 10.The method of claim 8 wherein the average number of ethylene oxide unitsin the diol is about 3.5.
 11. The method of claim 8 wherein the averagenumber of ethylene oxide units in the diol is about
 10. 12. The methodof claim 8 wherein the average number of ethylene oxide units in thediol is about
 30. 13. A method of controlling vegetation by applying ofan aqueous glyphosate-containing herbicidal solution having an improvedrainfastness to foliage of plants, said method comprising the stepsof:a) intimately mixing the following ingredients to form the aqueoussolution:1. a herbicidally effective amount of glyphosate and/orglyphosate salt;
 2. about 0.01 part to about 1 part of acetylenic diolhaving the following structural formula per part of glyphosate acidequivalent: ##STR14## wherein X in the acetylenic diol is (C₂ H₅ O )_(n)--H and wherein n is the average number of repeating ethylene oxideunits with n being a number of 1 to about 100, R is hydrogen or loweralkyl group containing 1 to about 8 carbon atoms and R₁ is methyl,ethyl, cyclopropyl, or phenyl, said acetylenic diol impartingrainfastness to the solution;
 3. about 0.01 part to about 1 part ofalkyl polyglycoside having the following molecular structure per part ofglyphosate acid equivalent: ##STR15## wherein X in the alkylpolyglycoside is 1 to about 8 and n is in the range of 9-12, said alkylpolyglycoside stabilizing the solution; and
 4. water;b) applying theaqueous solution to foliage of plants, the applied aqueous solutionhaving enhanced resistance to being removed from the plants by asubsequently applied gentle spray of water.
 14. The method of claim 13wherein the acetylenic diol is oxyethylated or nonoxyethylated2,5,8,11-tetramethyl-6-dodecyne-5,8-diol or oxyethylated ornonoxyethylated 2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decyne-4,7-diol.
 15. The method ofclaim 14 wherein the average number of ethylene oxide units in the diolis about 1.3.
 16. The method of claim 14 wherein the average number ofethylene oxide units in the diol is about 3.5.
 17. The method of claim14 wherein the average number of ethylene oxide units in the diol isabout
 10. 18. The method of claims 14 wherein the average number ofethylene oxide units in the diol is about
 30. 19. A method ofcontrolling vegetation by applying a diluted glyphosate-containingherbicidal solution having an improved rainfastness to foliage ofplants, said method comprising the steps of:a) intimately mixing thefollowing ingredients to form the aqueous concentrated solution;1. atleast about 15 weight percent by total weight of the solution ofglyphosate and/or glyphosate salt;
 2. about 0.01 part to about 1 part ofacetylenic diol having the following structural formula per part ofglyphosate acid equivalent: ##STR16## wherein X in the acetylenic diolis (C₂ H₅ O)_(n) --H and wherein n is the average number of repeatingethylene oxide units with n being a number of 1 to about 100, R ishydrogen or lower alkyl group containing 1 to about 8 carbon atoms andR₁ is methyl, ethyl, cyclopropyl, or phenyl, said acetylenic diolimparting rainfastness to the solution;
 3. about 0.01 part to about 1part of alkyl polyglycoside having the following molecular structure perpart of glyphosate acid equivalent: ##STR17## wherein X in the alkylpolyglycoside is 1 to about 8 and n is the range of 9-12, said alkylpolyglycoside stabilizing the concentrated solution; and
 4. water;b)diluting the concentrated solution with water to form a dilute solution;and, c) applying the dilute solution to foliage of plants, the applieddilute solution having enhanced resistance to being removed from theplants by a subsequently applied gentle spray of water.
 20. Thecomposition of claim 19 wherein the acetylenic diol is oxyethylated ornonoxyethylated 2,5,8,11-tetramethyl-6-dodecyne-5,8-diol or oxyethylatedor nonoxyethylated 2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decyne-4,7-diol.
 21. Thecomposition of claim 20 wherein the average number of ethylene oxideunits in the diol is about 1.3.
 22. The composition of claim 20 whereinthe average number of ethylene oxide units in the diol is about 3.5. 23.The composition of claim 20 wherein the average number of ethylene oxideunits in the diol is about
 10. 24. The method of claim 20 wherein theaverage number of ethylene oxide units in the diol is about 30.